You’ve heard of boundaries and canceling relationships because “I have to do what’s best for me.” But are these boundaries—or walls? Bill and Pam Farrel show us a new, cancel-free way to do boundaries as they tell the story of pursuing relationship with Pam’s alcoholic father and Bill’s very controlling mom.

In a world of people going "no contact" and burning bridges between generations, Bill and Pam Farrel invite us to pursue relationships across generations instead of burning bridges.

Links to all three parts of this Episode: 

• Part 1: Are My Parents Toxic? The Truth about Going "No Contact"
• Part 2: Boundaries Or Walls? How To Wisely Love Your Toxic Parent
• Part 3: What Happened When They Chose Cancel-Free Boundaries to Love Toxic Parents

Judgy Series

Free Resource from Live Like it's True

Resources: 

Check out Bill and Pam's books on Shannon's recommendation list HERE.

Bill and Pam Farrel

Bill and Pam are the authors of over sixty books, including Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti. They join their voices at marriage and parenting conferences with Bill offering strength and wisdom to men, and Pam encouraging women to be courageous, influential and strong in faith.
Connect with Bill and Pam

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Check out more episodes in the Judgy Series.

Get your Free Live Like It's True Workbook.

Check out Resound Media.

Check out my nine week study, Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible.

We've got leader's guides, free bonuses and more for you at ControlGirl.com. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Going "no contact" is a trend today—the idea that adult kids must cut ties with their parents for the sake of healing and self-care. But how does that line up with Jesus’ command to "not judge" and "be merciful" (Luke 6:36)?

In this episode, relationship experts Bill and Pam Farrel share biblical wisdom and real-life insight on how to honestly evaluate your parents without canceling them, how to navigate painful family dynamics with both truth and love, and how to honor God’s design for generations—built on bridges, not burned ones.

If you’ve ever wondered whether distance is the only option, this three-part conversation points to a better way forward.

Links to all three parts of this Episode: 

• Part 1: Are My Parents Toxic? The Truth about Going "No Contact"
• Part 2: Boundaries Or Walls? How To Wisely Love Your Toxic Parent
• Part 3: What Happened When They Chose Cancel-Free Boundaries to Love Toxic Parents

Judgy Series

Free Resource from Live Like it's True

Resources: 

Check out Bill and Pam's books on Shannon's recommendation list HERE.

Bill and Pam Farrel

Bill and Pam are the authors of over sixty books including, "Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti."  prolific conference and church communicators. They speak together at marriage and parenting conferences with a unique ability to “speak as one” in all their presentations. 

Bill helps people gain strength and real-world wisdom through messages at men’s retreats and church services. Pam equips and encourages women to be courageous, influential and strong in faith at women’s gatherings around the world.

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Check out more episodes in the Judgy Series.

Get your Free Live Like It's True Workbook.

Check out Resound Media.

Check out my nine week study, Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible.

We've got leader's guides, free bonuses and more for you at ControlGirl.com. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Have you lost hope? Have you resigned yourself to an UNhappy ending? There's a shift we see in this story of Ruth—and our own—when a baby is born to "outsiders." 

Join me for the second part of a conversation with Katy Morgan from the Good Book Company on the Live Like It's True Podcast.

Guest: Katy Morgan

Get your Free Resource: Pray the Promises

Recommended Resources: 

• Check out Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE which features Katy's book, The Outsider. 

Katy Morgan

Katy Morgan is the award-winning author of Songs of a Warrior and a Senior Editor at The Good Book Company. She likes climbing hills and exploring new places—both in books and in real life! Before Katy joined TGBC, she used to work in a school, and now she teaches the Bible every week to children at her church. She also reads ancient Greek and has a master’s degree in Classics from Cambridge University.

Check out more episodes in the Judgy Series.

Get your Free Live Like It's True Workbook.

Check out Resound Media.

Check out my nine week study, Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible.

We've got leader's guides, free bonuses and more for you at ControlGirl.com. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Do you long to belong? Do you still feel like the "outsider"? I'm talking with Katy Morgan, author of "The Outsider" about the beautiful story of a girl named Ruth—an outsider, who is brought to the very center of the story. How is this possible? It starts with her meeting a "kinsman redeemer" named Boaz. 

Free Resource: Pray the Promises

Recommended Resources: 

• Check out Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE which features Katy's book and Control Girl by Shannon.

Katy Morgan

Katy Morgan is the award-winning author of Songs of a Warrior and a Senior Editor at The Good Book Company. She likes climbing hills and exploring new places—both in books and in real life! Before Katy joined TGBC, she used to work in a school, and now she teaches the Bible every week to children at her church. She also reads ancient Greek and has a master’s degree in Classics from Cambridge University.

Check out more episodes in the Judgy Series.

Get your Free Live Like It's True Workbook.

Check out Resound Media.

Check out my nine week study, Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible.

We've got leader's guides, free bonuses and more for you at ControlGirl.com. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Ever been judged by church people? Jesus has, too. Today, my friend and pastor’s wife, Libby VanSolkema, is back to talk about how Jesus responded when legalism crept into the synagogue—the first-century version of church life.

We’ll explore what judgment does to us—and how compassion restores us to the heart of God. Join us on Live Like It’s True.

We titled part one of the conversation: The Truth About Pharisee-Types & How to Break Free

• Listen to part one on Apple
• Listen to part one on Spotify

Judgy Series

Guest: Libby VanSolkema

Get your Free Resource: 20 Page Workbook

Recommended Resources: 

• Check out Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE

Music: Cade Popkin

Libby VanSolkema

Libby VanSolkema is President of Ancient Paths Study Tours in addition to being the Research, Curriculum and Resource Director at Crossroads Bible Church in Grand Rapids, MI. Libby is passionate about leading groups to Israel, Greece, Turkey, and Rome, inviting people to learn in community and to discover how the Bible's cultural context illuminates its timeless truth. Libby has an undergraduate degree from Wheaton College and has done graduate work at Jerusalem University College, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, and Calvin Seminary.

Mentioned Resources:

• Crossroads Bible Church
• The Locker Room Podcast
• The Locker Room Podcast – Shannon as a Guest
• Ancient Paths Study Tours

Check out more episodes in the Judgy Series.

Get your Free Live Like It's True Workbook.

Check out Resound Media.

Check out my nine week study, Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible.

We've got leader's guides, free bonuses and more for you at ControlGirl.com. 

Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Have you been secretly judging some other mom, your sister, a neighbor or friend? Are you stuck in a constant rule-keeping mindset? Are you a judgy Pharisee-type who'd like to break free?  

My friend and pastor's wife Libby VanSolkema describes herself as a "Recovering Pharisee" and I can relate. In our conversation about Luke 6, we're exploring Jesus’ surprising response to the Pharisees after the disciples pluck grain on the Sabbath, Let's flip on the lights and expose our own legalism which is the first step to freedom and transformation. 

Judgy Series

Guest: Libby VanSolkema

Get your Free Resource: 20 Page Workbook

Recommended Resources: 

• Check out Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE

Music: Cade Popkin

Libby VanSolkema is President of Ancient Paths Study Tours in addition to being the Research, Curriculum and Resource Director at Crossroads Bible Church in Grand Rapids, MI. 

Libby is passionate about leading groups to Israel, Greece, Turkey, and Rome, inviting people to learn in community and to discover how the Bible's cultural context illuminates its timeless truth. 

Libby has an undergraduate degree from Wheaton College and has done graduate work at Jerusalem University College, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and Calvin Seminary. 

Mentioned Resources:

• Crossroads Bible Church
• The Locker Room Podcast
• The Locker Room Podcast – Shannon as a Guest
• Ancient Paths Study Tours

Check out more episodes in the Judgy Series.

Get your Free Live Like It's True Workbook.

Check out Resound Media.

Check out my nine week study, Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible.

We've got leader's guides, free bonuses and more for you at ControlGirl.com. 

Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Do you assume that your mother-in-law / daughter-in-law relationship is doomed to fail?  Are you avoiding her and pulling away?

In this conversation, Stacey Reaoch joins me to explore the complex relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. 

Sharing thoughts from her book, Making Room for Her, Stacey and I talk about some breakthrough practices from the Bible to create connection and cultivate love.

Judgy Series

Guest: Stacy Reaoch

Get your Free Resource: 20 Page Workbook

Recommended Resources: 

• Check out Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE

Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc

Music: Cade Popkin

Stacy's Bio

Stacy Reaoch is an author, mom of four and has been married to her pastor husband, Ben, for 25 years. Stacy is passionate about studying the Bible and helping women apply Gospel truths to daily life through Bible study, discipleship and writing. She and Ben enjoy serving together at Three Rivers Grace Church in Pittsburgh, PA. Stacy's writing has been featured on various websites including Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition and Revive Our Hearts. Stacy is the author of Beautiful Freedom- How the Bible Shapes Your View of Appearance, Food and Fitness and is the co-author (along with her mother-in-law, Barbara) of Making Room for Her: Biblical Wisdom for a Healthier Relationship with Your Mother-In-Law or Daughter-In-Law.

Connect with Stacy

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Check out more episodes in the Judgy Series.

Get your Free Live Like It's True Workbook.

Check out Resound Media.

Check out my nine week study, Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible.

We've got leader's guides, free bonuses and more for you at ControlGirl.com. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Is your relationship with your mother-in-law or daughter-in-law difficult? Is she doing it all wrong? Are you fiercely tempted to judge?

In this episode, Stacey Reaoch joins me for a heartfelt conversation about how expectations and backgrounds can threaten the tender relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. 

Get some biblical wisdom on mending difficult relationships and cultivating peace.

Judgy Series

Guest: Stacy Reaoch

Get your Free Resource: 20 Page Workbook

Recommended Resources: 

• Check out Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE

Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc

Music: Cade Popkin

Stacy's Bio

Stacy Reaoch is an author, mom of four and has been married to her pastor husband, Ben, for 25 years. Stacy is passionate about studying the Bible and helping women apply Gospel truths to daily life through Bible study, discipleship and writing. She and Ben enjoy serving together at Three Rivers Grace Church in Pittsburgh, PA. Stacy's writing has been featured on various websites including Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition and Revive Our Hearts. Stacy is the author of Beautiful Freedom- How the Bible Shapes Your View of Appearance, Food and Fitness and is the co-author (along with her mother-in-law, Barbara) of Making Room for Her: Biblical Wisdom for a Healthier Relationship with Your Mother-In-Law or Daughter-In-Law.

Connect with Stacy:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Check out more episodes in the Judgy Series.

Get your Free Live Like It's True Workbook.

Check out Resound Media.

Check out my nine week study, Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible.

We've got leader's guides, free bonuses and more for you at ControlGirl.com. 

Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Are there certain people who disgust you? Are there those you have a hard time showing compassion to? What if God lavishes those loathsome people with His mercy?

That's what happened to Jonah. Listen in on part two of my conversation with Erika VanHaitsma and learn from a prophet who was disgusted by God's mercy and blind to his own need for grace.

Judgy Series

Guest: Erika VanHaitsma

Bible Passage: Jonah's Prayer & Displeasure - Jonah 2-4 (NASB)

Get your Free Resource: 20 Page Workbook

Recommended Resources: 

• Check out Erika's new book, "Restoring Ancient Words" on Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE
• Jesus's Proof that We'll Get New Bodies in Heaven - Erika's Other Episode on Live Like It's True
• Astonishing Faith is Like a Puppy, Begging for a Crumb - Erika's Previous Episode on Live Like It's True
• The Context and Color of the Bible Podcast

Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc

Music: Cade Popkin

Erika VanHaitsma

Erika is married to Bryan and together they have five children, whom she homeschools. Erika attended Moody Bible Institute, as well as Jerusalem University College. She has a Master's Degree in Historical Archaeology and Geography. Erika enjoys hosting "The Context and Color of the Bible" podcast with her sister, Veronica, and also speaking at retreats.

Connect with Erika:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Podcast

Check out more episodes in the Judgy Series.

Get your Free Live Like It's True Workbook.

Check out Resound Media.

Check out my nine week study, Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible.

We've got leader's guides, free bonuses and more for you at ControlGirl.com. 

Visit ComparisonGirl.com and get the answers both she and you need in my new book, Comparison Girl for Teens: Thriving Beyond Measure in a World That Compares. Conversation starters, quizzes and more. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.

Why did Jonah run from God’s call—and what does that reveal about our own hearts?

In this episode of Live Like It’s True, Erika Van Haitsma joins me to unpack the irony and intensity of Jonah’s story, exposing his deep resentment toward the Ninevites and resistance to God’s mercy. Together, we explore how this familiar narrative challenges us to confront our own grudges and ask whether we truly want God to be gracious—to everyone.

Judgy Series

Guest: Erika Van Haitsma

Bible Passage: Jonah's Disobedience - Jonah 1 (NASB)

Get your Free Resource: 20 Page Workbook

Recommended Resources: 

• Check out Erika's book, "Faith Walk; 50 Daily Devotionals" on Shannon's Amazon Storefront HERE
• Jesus's Proof that We'll Get New Bodies in Heaven - Erika's Other Episode on Live Like It's True
• Astonishing Faith is Like a Puppy, Begging for a Crumb - Erika's Previous Episode on Live Like It's True
• The Context and Color of the Bible Podcast

Resound Media Network: www.ResoundMedia.cc

Music: Cade Popkin

Erika is married to Bryan and together they have five children, whom she homeschools. Erika attended Moody Bible Institute, as well as Jerusalem University College. She has a Master's Degree in Historical Archaeology and Geography. Erika enjoys hosting "The Context and Color of the Bible" podcast with her sister, Veronica, and also speaking at retreats.

 Connect with Erika:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Podcast

Check out more episodes in the Judgy Series.

Get your Free Live Like It's True Workbook.

Check out Resound Media.

Check out my nine week study, Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible.

We've got leader's guides, free bonuses and more for you at ControlGirl.com. 

Learn more at ShannonPopkin.com.